[cw1200lt]

My friend and I are coming out from Ohio this July for our first trip to the Northwest.
Our wifes are flying into Sacramento and then riding back to Ohio with us. They don't have the amount of vacation time to make the trip both ways with us.
We like to go to an area and stay for 2 or three days spoking out from a central hotel. We would like to do this for three days in Oregon and then three days in Washington before heading back to Ohio. Any suggestions on a good location to do this and what are must see things and rides.
Thanks cw

 

[fpmlt]

For the Oregon portion, I honestly think my area is your best choice - Central Oregon (Bend/Redmond/Sisters).
Perhaps you can talk with some of the folks that were here in Redmond for the CCR and ask them about the area.
From Bend you can go west right into the cascades, with several scenic mountain rides. You can go north, and again, mountain riding. East is through the high desert, a country that I really enjoy. And you've got the Ochoco Mountains to ride in. Continue East through John Day - nice country - and you can get into the Blues, Hells Canyon (AWESOME), Joseph and Enterprise.
Head south and you have Clear Lake, Summer Lake, Fort Klamath. The list goes on and on.
You can ride desert, mountains, lava flows, you name it, all about 3 - 4 hour rides from here.
The only other suggestion I could make would be the coast. One of them there soggy riders can chime in on that.
If you want more information, PM me, or e-mail me at [email protected]
I can send you some maps that might help.
Frank

 

[timothya1]

I won't suggest a specific location stay in Washington, but a couple of rides do come to mind as good trips.

The North Cascades Highway should be open that time of year, and is not to be missed. Look for highway 20 in the northern part of the Cascade mountains, and bring a camera with a good battery! We have had a LOT of snow in the mountains up here, and the highway has opened very late in the season before, but July should be safe.

I personally enjoy the loop around Olympic National Park on the Olympic peninsula. It is a good mix of mountains and coast, and the views are great. Given enough time, you can make excursions into the Olympic National Park, too.

Any road through the Cascade mountains is great (except I-90, perhaps).

I have always enjoyed pretty much any road in the northern part of the state. The area around Omak is particularly enjoyable.

South of Seattle includes Mt St Helens. If you do that ride, take the time to go to the Windy Ridge visitors center from the east side of the mountain instead of the more crowded Jackson visitor center from the west. Views are better, roads are more enjoyable.

No matter where you stay or ride, I can pretty much guarantee you will enjoy Oregon and Washington riding!

 

[clayton]

A great ride from western Washington via hwy 410 up and over Chinook Pass into the Yakima valley. Also a return loop from Yakima back to the west side is take hwy 12 over White Pass to State route 123 this will take you over Cayus Pass back to hwy 410, connects just below Chinook Pass.

Another great ride is take hwy 2 over Stevens Pass to the little town of Leavenworth. This is a Bavarian village with great shops and places to dine. When leaving Leavenworth head east to pick up hwy 97 this takes you over Blewett Pass into the town of Cle Elum. Make sure and visit the Cle Elum Bakery for a treat. If you are still hungry follow signs to the near by town of Roslyn for the best pizza in the world. The name of the place is Village Pizza. Just across the street from the pizza place is the historic Brick Tavern built over a hundred years ago. It has a built in spit tune with running water just below the bar.

Hope you have a great trip and ride safe. Feel free to pm me when your in the area or any time maybe we can meet up and I can show you some more areas.

Clayton